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Page 411
formally. "Please assume that my choice will be the same as Pembroke's in the Irish matter."
"But why should you pledge yourself blindly? Would it not be better for us to meet here, if you are not well enough to come to Oxford's house?
Salisbury could not conceive what had happened between Ian and his wife. He had thought there was some constraint in Alinor's manner when he came in, but he had dismissed it as anxiety, either about the plot against her husband or about his health. At first they had seemed easy enough in talking to each other about settling the trouble on Alinor's son's lands, but then this touch of bitterness had crept in. Salisbury wondered whether Ian had some reason to suspect Alinor's loyalty to him. The offer to move the meeting was an easy test for that.
"If you think the others would be willing, I will be most grateful," Ian responded promptly.
Then it was no desire to keep Alinor ignorant of his participation in the Irish expedition, Salisbury thought, as he arranged to send a messenger to let Ian know what time they would meet.
Ian made an effort to smile again. "Any time will suit me. I will be there." Then he frowned slightly. "But I hope not abed for much longer. Do you think I can have leave from the king to go, William? I need to visit the strongholds that have been neglected since Simon fell ill, and I would like to do it before summoning the men to war in the spring. I will need to spend some time in each, so the sooner I start the better I can manage."
"I am sure John will grant leave. In fact, I think he intends to depart in a day or two himself. Let me ask him, and I will tell you when we meet tomorrow what he says."
With the words, Salisbury rose. The atmosphere had grown so glacial that he feared he would freeze to death, despite the roaring fire and the generally mild weather,

 
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